Responding with strength

The real value of the Citizens United decision might be its crystal-clear affirmation of reality. Like I said this morning, I'm not a fan of the decision. But "corporate" money has always been in politics. The Court itself noted that "political speech is so ingrained in this country’s culture that speakers find ways around campaign finance laws."

The problem is that it's not. As a country, we don't spend nearly enough energy on politics. Only a small minority of Americans contribute to candidates. Campaign finance regulations may have been a comforting check on corporate interests, but they were never the most effective. With corporations about to enjoy an unencumbered ability to spend money on political advocacy, we must respond with strength. It's time for a better answer: one that builds a deeper political culture up from its base, friend to friend and community to community.